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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Travel Forum (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/travel-forum-119/)
-   -   Driving back down to the Villages from Illinois on 10/25. Travel advice needed. Atl? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/travel-forum-119/driving-back-down-villages-illinois-10-25-travel-advice-needed-atl-353789/)

Deckboat234 10-17-2024 05:02 AM
Take 57 south to I24 towards Nashville. In Nashville Take I 65 s towards Huntsville AL. Stay on I 65 until you get in Montgomery al and then take I 85 east. You go about 11 miles and get on rt 110 towards union spring AL( good place for gas and bathroom) and get on rt 82 towards Eufala, AL. Stay on rt 82 all the way to Tifton, Ga and get on I 75 south. These state roads are mostly 4 lanes. Easy drive. I usually get gas and bathroom around Montgomery as there is not much too stop at until you get to Albany ga. where there is a loves truck stop that is clean. These state highways are about 3 to 3 1/2 hrs total until from Montgomery to Tifton

thevillager1988 10-17-2024 05:08 AM
We travel TV to and from NW Indiana. Agree… either hit Atlanta at 5am, or go through Alabama. And always use Waze. We keep Waze running constantly for up to the minute re-routing.

HospitalCoder 10-17-2024 05:11 AM
1 Attachment(s)
I saw this post on FB and sent it to my husband. He left IL yesterday and drives through Carbondale. He does try to either drive through Atlanta in the wee morning hours or avoids it.
He will arrive today and I will try to remember to post his route. Meanwhile, I had read enough to know there were issues with getting gas as well as even worse than usual traffic on 75 here in FL and that is what the attached post addresses.

Sensei 10-17-2024 05:18 AM
Atlanta is a nightmare! travel through there between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. !!
 
Made that trip numerous times the past few years...Atlanta is a raging nightmare. It's less of a nightmare, more bad dream, between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Recommendations to utilize WAZE are spot on.
john

beckylou152 10-17-2024 05:30 AM
Best time to dtive
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschwi (Post 2379764)
We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?
I am from Atlanta. I find it best to drive through on the weekend. Sundays are great. Or, late at night. If you must go through on a weekday, hit the city between 10 and 2. You can’t predict when an accident might happen to slow things down but these are the best times. I use my phone maps program as well which tells you if you need to reroute.

Desiderata 10-17-2024 05:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by beckylou152 (Post 2379885)
I am from Atlanta. I find it best to drive through on the weekend. Sundays are great. Or, late at night. If you must go through on a weekday, hit the city between 10 and 2. You can’t predict when an accident might happen to slow things down but these are the best times. I use my phone maps program as well which tells you if you need to reroute.
Just make sure there are no major sporting events taking place in Atlanta if you drive through on a Sunday.

mkjelenbaas 10-17-2024 06:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschwi (Post 2379764)
We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?
WOW - someone should get into their auto - get to the highway and drive the speed limit in the right lane - stop for bathroom breaks and also to gas up - anyone who needs help should make sure to have their phone fully charged - if anyone needs help just follow the above and you will be alright. Good luck on your first trip to Flirida.

Kewags@gmail.com 10-17-2024 06:09 AM
I have traveled multiple times back and forth to Illinois. I use the route through Alabama to Nashville. It’s a little longer, but no heavy traffic or mountains. Good luck.

dcianciolo 10-17-2024 06:22 AM
I lived in the Atlanta area for 22 yrs. Always keep in mind rush hour in Atlanta is from 5:00 am to 8:00pm. LOL
Seriously : Try to get through Atlanta before 6:00 am and have your SunPass to use on Express Lanes whenever possible.

kimgarwel12@gmail.com 10-17-2024 06:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschwi (Post 2379764)
We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?

We just came through Atlanta on our way back from Wisconsin on Sunday, Oct 13th, and it was absolutely brutal.......all the way from going into Nashville, through Atlanta and past Macon. We lost 4 hrs sitting in backups and parkinglot situations. We went through Atlanta proper at about 4 p.m. on a Sunday, no less. We've decided we'll NOT do that trip again anytime soon. There was a lot of construction to deal with as well, a lot of "left lane closed" things which made matters worse. We kept the tank filled all the way and had a 5-gal gas can full onboard to be safe. As you get closer to Valdosta and certainly after crossing the FL border, gas becomes an issue. Many closed/shuttered stations. We left Wisconsin at 8 a.m. and pulled into our driveway in TV at midnight. I'd say find another route or fly. Neither is optimal. Going by way of Alabama might prevent such long driving times. I'd certainly opt for an hour out of my way as opposed to losing 4 hrs sitting in backups, worried about your gas situation or potty breaks. Good luck!!

midiwiz 10-17-2024 06:38 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschwi (Post 2379764)
We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?
Come through Alabama on 65, it's a nicer drive in a lot of ways, no traffic whenever we go through there. Also has a few quaint places to stop at.

RoboVil 10-17-2024 06:38 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschwi (Post 2379764)
We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?
When going through Atlanta, take the HOV lanes (need 2 people in car) and use the Express lanes when available (need an E-Z Pass, SunPass or equivalent). Makes the trip much easier.

DonRaleigh 10-17-2024 07:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2379814)
There was another, similar thread about 2 weeks ago. Google maps and Waze will almost always route you thru Indianapolis, Chattanooga and Atlanta, as this is the shortest distance. However, if you take 57 to 24 to 65 and then US 231 from Montgomery, thru Dothan and then pick up 10 in the panhandle, you will avoid the insane traffic that the shorter route entails. Yes, it is more miles and maybe more time (debatable), but you will swear less for sure. YMMV, literally.
And less mountainous. Been taking that route the last couple years.

sowilts 10-17-2024 07:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschwi (Post 2379764)
We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?
Drive to Annapolis often. And sometimes to Asheville. Saturday seems the best travel day.

CBarrett 10-17-2024 07:33 AM
I would connect to I-65 South at Nashville and take I-65 to Montgomery, AL.
Take US 231south all the way to I-10.
I-10 to I-75.
We take this route all the time to Michigan and back. I would much rather spend an extra hour in the car than to deal with Atlanta.
Safe Travels!


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